Question

Which atom(s) in the molecule CH3OCH3 will display tetrahedral electron-pair geometry? (Select all that apply)a. Ob. Cc. Hd. none of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

b. C

Explanation:

The geometry is how the bonds and the lone pairs of electrons are distributed around the atom, and the angles formed by them occurs to minimize the repulsive forces of the bonds and the lone pairs.

For example, the molecule of CO₂ is linear, because the central atom C has no lone pairs (the valence shell of it has 4 electrons, so it shares all of them to be stable), and do only two bonds. But the molecule of H₂O is angular, because the central atom O has two lone pairs (its valence shell has 6 electrons, so it only shares 2 electrons to be stable), and the repulsive forces are minimized with an angle of 104.45°.

To the geometry be tetrahedral, the atom must have 4 bonds, and none lone pairs, and it only happens at the two C in the molecule given. H only does one bond, and O does 2 bonds and has 2 lone pairs.